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During spring 2005 amid routine bridge inspections, the condition of Arnasbrack Bridge was noted and was such as to warrant emergency repairs. The extent of the bed scour and damage was severe and a road closure was necessary. The option of complete replacement seemed the obvious choice but following discussions with our experienced outdoor staff it was decided that repair and reconstruction of the structure was possible, although difficult. The works involved substantial temporary propping and a carefully planned and executed method of working. Starting from one end of the structure the foundations were underpinned and rebuilt and any portion of missing arch rebuilt thereon. This process was repeated in stages along the structure as far as the upstream portion where the condition was so grave that it was necessary to remove the remnants of the arch and take down the external arch ring (voussoirs) and rebuild an entire portion of the arch.

After rebuilding the arch and new sprandrel, the masonry work was continued and parapets, which had long since disappeared, were re-established on both sides of the road. This work was skilfully carried out by members of Sligo County Councils staff James Conlon (Craftsman), Pat Foley and Thomas Collery, Area Supervisor Michael Haran, Area Engineer Rosie Friel, under the overall direction of Gary Salter SEE. It is estimated that the works were carried out at one third of the likely replacement cost of the structure. This is another example of the quality of direct labour work.

Progressive landward erosion of the foreshore increased the vulnerability of the old retaining wall supporting County Road 17a. Subsequent northerly storms, coincident with high tides resulted in critical portions of the wall collapsing in September 2005, exposing the road and adjacent dwelling to undermining and damage. Emergency works were required to replace the wall and to re-instate the road. Precast concrete units were designed, fabricated and transported to site. Preparation and site construction works were ably carried out by Sligo County Council staff, under the supervision of Gary Salter. The Council worked in cooperation with the community resulting in a very satisfactory final product. The county road was reopened in November with minimal disruption.

The works included:

This two span bridge at Cully, near the village of Curry, spans over the River Mullaghanoe, and is a tributary to the River Moy. The old masonry abutments and centre pier were supporting an old concrete bridge deck, which was in very poor condition. A weight restriction was imposed as a safe guard to users. The old abutments were examined and assessed as being unable to support a new bridge deck. The Structures Section of the Council designed a replacement bridge, comprising reinforced concrete abutments and pier and a new two span concrete integral bridge deck. During construction of the new bridge a temporary route was provided across the river by means of fabricating a steel culvert. Poor ground conditions and rapid rising water levels made these working conditions very difficult. Most of the work was carried out by the Council’s outdoor staff including John Cahill and Michael Carroll. The more specialised work was carried out by Dermot Dooney Ltd. The project was funded by a Special Improvement Grant from the Department in 2005.

The Council worked in cooperation with the North Western Regional Fisheries Board regarding environmental aspects of this salmon river.